Sister Philomena was born Bridget Philomena Rooney in Banbridge, Co. Down in 1927. She was one of a family of eight children, two of whom died in infancy. She was Phil to most MMMs and Auntie Mena to her nieces and nephews.
Phil was from a farming community. When she was only about six years old, her father went into hospital for removal of his appendix and died on the operating table. She got the news in school, overhearing a neighbour telling the teacher what had happened. Phil helped out at home for a number of years before joining MMM. She got a scholarship for further education but gave it up when an older sister who was supporting her mother on the farm got married.
Sister Berchmans was born Nora Christina Roche in Killorglin, Co. Kerry in 1922. She received her early education there and in Arklow. She trained as a pharmacist in Dublin and joined the Medical Missionaries of Mary soon after qualifying. That was in 1945, when the Congregation was only eight years old.
Sister Jacinta was born Teresa Roche in Oulart, Wexford in 1938, the seventh child in a family of twelve, six boys and six girls. She grew up on a farm and developed a strong work ethic from an early age. After her early education in Enniscorthy and Ferrybank and helping with housekeeping at home, she joined MMM in 1957. After profession she trained as a nurse-midwife in Drogheda.
Sister Marie Therese was born Nora Roberts in Anglesey, Wales, in 1922. Her family moved to London when she was young and she received her early education there. She was an only child but was very close to and grew up with three first cousins. She trained as a secretary and worked in the civil service in England for many years.
Nationality: Scottish
Congregational Register No: 601
D.O.B. 12.02.1930
First Profession: 27.04.1964
Died: 26.03.2006 Aged: 76 years
Louisa Ritchie was born in Beauly, Inverness, Scotland, into a family of five girls and three boys. Following her mother’s early death, Louisa’s sister, Margaret, took over the job of caring for her siblings and their father.
Nationality: Irish
Congregational Register No. 315
D.O.B. 09.08.1932
First Profession 08.09.1954
Died: 04.12.2002 Aged: 70 years
Born in Cullahill, Co. Laois, Anne Rhatigan, known in the family as ‘Nano’, was the daughter of primary school teachers. She had one sister and five brothers.
Nationality: Irish
Congregational Register No: 261
D.O.B. 17.01.1929
First Profession: 06.04.1953
Died: 03.02.2008 Aged: 79 years
Mary Brigid Reynolds came from Co. Leitrim where her father was a medical practitioner. She had two brothers and an older sister, Margaret. Mary was educated at the local convent and then by the Ursuline Sisters in Sligo. After leaving school, Mary went to St. Mary’s College of Domestic Science, Dublin, to study household and institutional management. Having obtained her certificates she followed in her sister Margaret’s footsteps and entered MMM.
Sr. Marion Therese was born Mary Reynolds in Dublin in 1930, the daughter of Frances (née Landy) and Francis Reynolds. Her two brothers live in the United States.
Mary trained as a nurse in Salford, England, before joining MMM in February 1957. She took on responsibility early, working in the hospital in Drogheda as a night sister before beginning her novitiate in October that year. Before her first profession she was the night sister in charge. After profession she trained as a midwife in Drogheda.
Sister Margaret was born in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim in 1925 and attended her early education in Ballinamore and in Sligo. She qualified as a nurse in the Mater Hospital in Dublin before joining the Medical Missionaries of Mary in 1948. She completed her midwifery training in the IMTH and after profession was assigned to Nigeria.
She spent two and a half years in charge of the maternity hospital in Anua, taught midwifery and was acting matron before training as a nurse tutor in London. She was then ward sister and tutor in the IMTH in Drogheda for two years.
Nationality: Irish
Congregational Register No: 457
D.O.B. 03.05.1931
First Profession: 26.04.1960
Died: 25.01.2007 Aged: 75 years
Maura was the only child of James and Mary Ramsbothom of Mountmellick, Co. Laois. She was educated by the Presentation Sisters and went on to college in Dublin to study music and become a national school teacher. She was a clever, gifted young woman with great energy, rarely having a free moment to herself. She taught music and coached choir and drama groups and was a very active member of the Legion of Mary.
